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Influenza shot efficacy questioned.

Fergus YoungLeave a comment

After receiving the flu shot for as long as I remember, the episode last weekend represents perhaps the 4th year in a row that I’ve come down with “Flu like” symptoms. The distinguishing symptoms of Influenza (vs the common cold) as advised my by GP would be Fever (in my case, 39.1°C at the armpit, normally 36.8°C), Chills, Body ache, headaches and stomach upset which I all experienced over a week.

  • The GP mentioned The Flu Vaccine was perhaps not the best match for the current circulating strains this season.
  • The manufacture by way of Fresh eggs have been implicated as a potential issue possibly causing the Vaccine to mutate too much from the targeted strains. (Link)
  • For some certain strains in any given Flu Season, the Vaccine may only be minimally effective. (Link)
  • In terms of efficacy of the Influenza Vaccine in general season by season, the average success rate of clinically confirmed influenza would appear has been placed at roughly 40-50%.
  • There is also the odd paper from studies suggesting that getting the Vaccine every year could blunt immune response for subsequent seasons. (Link)
  • Having said that, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that there is a section of unspecified “colds” and other respiratory ailments that very closely mimic the flu medical research has yet to uncover.

While I still support the idea of as many people getting the flu shot as possible, (if not for the benefit of one self, but the protection of the collective so to speak), it would behoove manufacturers to actually drastically improve on this vaccine… Admittedly, after 4 years of Flu shot failures, it does get tiring.

This is not a shot against vaccines in general at all, and is specifically about the flu shot only. People who misconstrue this as an Anti Vax article ought to have a clip around the ear

 

Influenza shot efficacy questioned.

Swazi Apparel to move part of their manufacturing to Thailand

Fergus Young2 Comments

Swazi NZ, Davey Hughes in a YouTube clip has announce they are moving production of their Fleece and Base layer clothing lines from their Levin Factory (here in New Zealand) to Thailand. The technical garments such as raincoats and jackets will still be made in New Zealand.

This in my view represents a not so insignificant change of direction from their original brand values and which they built the brand on.

Swazi Apparel to move part of their manufacturing to Thailand

Not that anyone really cares

Fergus Young, Leave a comment

The Matrix Synapse server will be left running and maintained, but not going invest too much of my time in the Fediverse. There is simply not enough uptake of Matrix to really warrant the expenditure of my time.

I probably won’t be following up on suggestions for any other collaboration systems unless a very good case can be made to do so. I’ve determined there’s really nothing out there that will ever compete with Faceborg at this rate, given the network effects and the widespread level of (dopamine driven) dependence on Facebook is out there.

For anyone bored enough, the manifest of my failed attempts can be read here. Anyway… Resuming my virtual digital hermit hood.

Not that anyone really cares

Carefully packaged and shipped – License code for Office 365 Online

Fergus YoungLeave a comment

Well packaged for Delivery. Box containing a Microsoft Office 365 box wrapped in Air Pillows. The only important bit was a line of code to activate your Office 365 subscription online.

May be a just a little bit excessive in the packaging…

Of course an argument could most certainly be made that it would have been cheaper and easier to simply E-mail me the code… though obviously packaged like this as a “matter of process” / “Matter of course” and to their credit, it did showed that Noel Leeming takes the effort to ensure goods are packed in a way to minimize the chance of damage during transit.

Carefully packaged and shipped – License code for Office 365 Online

Matrix Instant Messaging server Re-established

Fergus YoungLeave a comment

So here it is… Matrix is an Instant Messaging chat protocol. It is one that appeals to me the most out of plethora of a bunch of less than ideal bunch of instant messaging protocols and systems out there. The reasons why I favour Matrix include…

  • You can host a node / server yourself.
  • Each node can communicate with each other (Federate)
  • Users are not tied to one single server / provider. They have a choice who they create their account with, and they can communicate with any one else on the Matrix network, regardless of whether or not they exist on the same server.

As of 21st December 2018, I have bitten the bullet and set the Matrix server back up at mana.nz. Will probably start posting some social events on there. May be I could use the power of FOMO to pull people onto the Matrix protocol. Continue reading “Matrix Instant Messaging server Re-established” →

Matrix Instant Messaging server Re-established

Air Vanuatu Domestic Twin Otter Flights Cancellations

Fergus Young2 Comments

It seems for (at least) Friday 8th December 2018 and Today, Saturday 9th December 2018, Air Vanuatu (NF) Flights that use the De Havilland Twin Otter aircraft have allegedly all been cancelled. Who the flip knows when they will be back in Action. Known locations affected include (but NOT limited to)…

  • Craig Cove, Ulei (Ambrym)
  • Paama
  • Tongoa
  • Norsup (Malekula)
  • Lamen Bay (Epi)
  • Dillion’s Bay (Erromango)

Upon arrival to Craig Cove Airport on Friday (Yesterday) Morning, The agents in contact with Air Vanuatu head office keep announcing ever later estimated arrival times and relayed excuses from Head office from Mechanical Failure to the weather as reasons for the delay. After 2 hours of delay, ended up ringing Air Vanuatu Head Office myself, but they kept referring me back to the agents on the ground who in turn were similarly frantically via phone trying to get a grasp of the situation from Air Vanuatu Head office.

At about 4 hours after the flight was supposed to arrive, the agents announced that the flight had been cancelled and suggested that the next flight out of Craig Cove would be on Tuesday 11th December 2018 (Too late for me). Ended up calling a private charter flight to get us off of Ambrym allowing us to return back home to New Zealand as scheduled on the next morning.

Reviewing the flightradar24 upon finally returning home this Afternoon (As scheduled), it was revealed that all flights using De Havilland Twin Otter had been cancelled… Continue reading “Air Vanuatu Domestic Twin Otter Flights Cancellations” →

Air Vanuatu Domestic Twin Otter Flights Cancellations

Connected to Fibre (Properly)

Fergus YoungLeave a comment

Finally was coaxed by my current ISP, Spark, to move from ADSL1 to Fibre (100Mbit), when they sent a letter threa… er… advising that they will add $5 to my bill for staying with the old copper ADSL1 connection.

Fibre is considerably Faster I guess. Everything is more snappy, Graphics intensive NUI.NZ loads in a blink of an eye along with all the other sites. But is this more of sign of how websites in general have become so incredibly bloated.

There is only a $10.00 monthly price difference between the smallest plan and the unlimited plan. I’m aware they have in the past throttled and traffic shaped unlimited plans, but it looks like this may have been relaxed.

BTW, Pictures from an NZSA Auckland branch visit to Chorus Auckland Offices… Continue reading “Connected to Fibre (Properly)” →

Connected to Fibre (Properly)

Touristy things

Fergus YoungLeave a comment

19th to 21st August 2018 – Family affair mostly. Driving relatives to Rotorua and Waitomo. Attractions covered include: Agrodome, Rainbow Springs, Te Puia (+ Pohutu Geyser), then Waitomo Glow worm Caves.  Click picture below to access photo collection…

Entrance to Marae Grounds at Te Puia

Weather wasn’t that co-operative this time. The best weather was on the Sunday when we visited Agrodome.

Sharing family photos into mainland China has been an increasingly difficult issue to overcome. Often the server and front page of any given site is accessible, it doesn’t mean that the Great Firewall of China doesn’t employ some heuristics to block certain behaviors from occurring rendering the given site effectively inoperable to visitors in China. Apparently tried and true (domain) Email still works

 

Touristy things

Super Volcano at Stardome

Fergus YoungLeave a comment

Went to see the Super volcano showing at Stardome.

It is an older (2005/2006) film projected on to the dome ceiling of the Star dome. Being part of Stardome’s School Holiday Program, Family groups with Kids are likely to derive the most enjoyment from it.

The actual “Super Volcano” film clip (as shown in the trailer in the aforementioned link) runs for about 23 minutes starting from Indonesia and describing it’s lasting effect on the world, through the “Great Dying”, before zooming out and examining the volcanoes of other planets.

The remainder of the time was utilized as a generalized star light presentation of the Solar system, aimed primary at younger kids interested in astronomy. Total Run time for the content by itself is 40 minutes (Super Volcano film + Solar system presentation). No photos to show this time (as photography is prohibited inside the Stardome room itself)

May be alright value with Family groups on a $40.00 (+ Booking fee) Family pass. (In contrast to say a group of Adult aged friends at 13.50 each where it perhaps falls on the expensive side)

Super Volcano at Stardome